Biology & Marine Science Home

Announcing OCEARCH at Jacksonville University

Biology

Biology is the study of life. From the minuscule building blocks of life to bacteria,
plants and animals of all kinds, the biology program at Jacksonville University offers
you great opportunities for learning more about living organisms. While the program
ensures a breadth of knowledge, you can tailor your studies to focus on molecular
and cellular biology, microbiology, ecology, or on plant and animal biology. You’ll
find small classes with hands-on lab and field experiences in many of the courses.
Biology students at Jacksonville University often complete paid internships with local
government agencies or tailored research experiences with faculty members.

​Biology is also one of the most popular majors for pre-med students and others interested
in the health professions such as dentistry and pharmacy. As a “pre-professional”
student, you will be advised about what classes to take to prepare yourself for graduate
study. Jacksonville University graduates have a high success rate for gaining entrance
to medical school. Many say that small classes and personal interest from faculty
members contribute to their success in health and science graduate programs.

Marine Science

The marine science major at Jacksonville University emphasizes the multi-disciplined
approach necessary to understand the marine environment. Using a diverse offering
of marine science courses, the major includes a strong foundation in the elements
of chemistry, physics and physical science as well as life sciences. Students may
focus their studies in one or more of these areas by careful selection of their elective
courses.

Jacksonville University's marine science graduates have gone on to successful careers
in a variety of areas. Some of their employers include Sea World, Naval Oceanographic
Office, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Division of
Parks and Recreation, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, and Florida Fish and Wildlife
Research Institute.

Goals & strategies:

Goals:

Build a strong foundation in the biological sciences

Engaging STEM students in curricula that emphasize innovative investigatory laboratory
and field experiences

Emphasize a multi-disciplined approach to the understanding of biology and marine
science

Mentor STEM students in research

Support our Division and University colleagues

Strategies:

Offering a range of courses and experiences to STEM students that emphasize active
learning and technology

Encouraging majors to participate in research, independent study, and internships
as a means of applying knowledge and skills in a practical setting

Offering curricula that includes a diverse range of biology and marine science courses,
and includes strong foundations in other STEM disciplines

Participating in professional development in order to implement best practices in
the fields of biology and marine science

Encouraging student research and train student researchers

Contributing our perspectives and expertise to the Division and University needs